Ollie, UConn players confident program still on right track

Published 10:30 pm, Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie reacts toward an official in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Connecticut head coach Kevin Ollie reacts toward an official in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against SMU, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Photo: AP

Ollie, UConn players confident program still on right track

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HARTFORD >> It only seemed like most of the hundreds of transfers across men’s college basketball this spring were from UConn. Heck, even the state’s governor is transferring, so to speak.

Kevin Ollie & Co., along with members of the football and women’s basketball teams, met with Gov. Dannel Malloy and the state legislature on Wednesday for the annual Husky Day festivities. UConn arrived at the State Capitol with five scholarship players — Jalen Adams, Christian Vital, Mamadou Diarra, Alterique Gilbert and Terry Larrier — and, a far as anyone could tell, left the building without any of them announcing they’re transferring.

All this off the first losing season in 30 years. It’s been a tough go for the program lately, but those who remain insist it’s still on the right track.

“I’m excited about the program,” said Ollie. “I’m excited about the core group we have coming back, about our recruits coming in. Everybody’s in the same boat, rowing together. Nobody wanted to go through the season we went through, but when you go through a valley, you get a lesson. I think we learned something from the coaching staff, me personally as a coach during my self-evaluation. I’m looking forward to the future. It’s gonna be very bright.”

Ollie said he wasn’t necessarily shocked that three of his players elected to transfer. Last year, over 700 Division 1 players did the same nationwide.

“I mean, it happens everywhere,” he noted. “But at the end of the day, I want to make sure I concentrate and focus on the guys that want to be at UConn. Whatever’s best for our student-athletes. Sometimes, maybe I don’t think it’s the best. But if they think it’s the best for them, it’s the best for us. Because we want guys that value putting on a UConn jersey, value our championship culture. The five guys that are here value that. I wish the best of luck to the guys that are leaving, because they are all tremendous basketball players and great young men. They’re gonna do a great job in whatever program they land in.”

Both Adams and Vital admitted they were a bit taken aback by the veritable mass exodus of players.

“I thought they all loved it here, so they all kinda surprised me,” said Adams. “But when they sat down and told us why they were going other places, I understand and I support their decision.”

Added Vital: “I was kinda disappointed, because Steve’s one of my best friends, he’s part of the reason why I came here. Vance and Juwan, the freshmen, we kind of had a group going. We were looking towards the future. But, those guys made the decisions they felt were the best for them. You can only respect that. I wish I could play with them next year, but I wish them the best at the same time and understand that they made that decision because they felt it was best for them.”

Ollie said the decision to fire Miller, which occurred the day after the season ended and caught Miller completely off-guard, was a very tough one.

“That’s a part of our family, he’ll always be a part of our family, I love him to death,” he said of Miller, who had been a UConn coach for two different terms. “He’s done a great job for me. But as a leader and a coach, you evolve. Not saying I need something better, I need something different. I thought Raphael Chillious did that, bringing a different perspective. But I know Glen is gonna be a great asset to any coaching staff he lands (with).”

Miller’s departure is the main reason Ashton-Langford de-committed, according to several sources. In fact, the exodus of players, coupled with the team coming off a 16-17 season and generally seemingly in a state of malaise, could hurt the program in recruiting. That’s one of the main reasons Chillious was brought on board.

But Adams isn’t worried about players not wanting to come to Storrs.

“UConn’s gonna be UConn,” he said. “You can never forget the history UConn has built. Coach Ollie, me, Terry, Alterique, C.V., Mamadou, the guys that are still here – they’re gonna want to come play with us. People are considering coming here, so hopefully they do come and things will work out.”

So if the Huskies do rebound next season, don’t call it a comeback. Or another word Ollie doesn’t like to hear.

“I don’t think we’re rebuilding,” he said. “I don’t think that’s the word. I think we’re finding pieces around a very strong core that we have. Jalen is probably one of the best guards in the AAC and in America. Terry and Al and Mamadou coming back, they’re coming back with a chip on their shoulder. C.V. was probably one of our toughest players at the end of the season. He had a wonderful season. He grew and got better.”

“Now, we’re finding the right pieces that fit our culture.”

RIM RATTLINGS

Ollie said the three players who missed all or nearly all of last year with injuries are progressing well. Diarra (knee) is “pretty much full-go,” Larrier (knee) is nearly two months ahead of his rehab schedule, and Gilbert (shoulder) is slated to begin full-contact drills on May 1.